If you’ve been scrolling beauty content online in recent years, you’ve probably heard the word slugging — a viral skincare trend that promises extra hydration and a dewy, “glass‑skin” finish by morning. Though the trend blew up on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, its basic idea isn’t new: it’s a variation of a classic moisturizing technique that seals in hydration.
The name “slugging” comes from the way your skin looks afterward — shiny and glossy, much like the trail a slug leaves behind.
🐌 Slugging — The Basics
At its core, slugging is simple:
You apply an occlusive product to your skin as the very last step in your nighttime routine. That means after cleansing, serums, and your regular moisturizer, you add a thin layer of something thick and protective — often a petroleum‑jelly‑based ointment.
Common occlusives used for slugging include:
- Petroleum jelly (like Vaseline),
- Healing ointments (e.g., Aquaphor or CeraVe Healing Ointment),
- Thick balms containing lanolin, beeswax, or similar occlusive ingredients.
These products don’t hydrate skin on their own, but they create a protective barrier that prevents moisture from evaporating — essentially locking in everything you’ve applied beneath.
💧 How Slugging Works
Your skin naturally loses water throughout the day and night, a process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL). An occlusive layer slows that loss by forming a kind of “seal” over the top of your skin.
When done correctly, slugging can make skin feel plumper, softer, and more hydrated, especially for people who struggle with dryness, flakiness, or chapped skin.
It’s usually done at night because the thick layer doesn’t work well under makeup or sunscreen and can feel greasy during the day.
🧴 Should You Try It? — Who Benefits Most
Slugging tends to work best for people with:
- Dry or dehydrated skin,
- Sensitive skin that’s prone to irritation or chapping,
- Compromised skin barrier from weather, harsh cleansers, or over‑exfoliation.
Dermatologists note that this practice has roots in longstanding skincare wisdom — barriers and occlusive products have been used for decades to help protect and heal dry skin.
However, slugging may not be suitable for everyone. People with oily or acne‑prone skin sometimes find it too heavy. Because the occlusive layer traps everything you’ve applied under it, it can lock in pore‑clogging ingredients or excess oil and trigger breakouts in some individuals.
📅 How to Slug the Right Way
Here’s a simple way to incorporate slugging into your night skincare:
- Cleanse your face thoroughly to remove makeup and sunscreen.
- Apply your regular nighttime products like a hydrating serum or moisturizer. (Humectants like hyaluronic acid help attract water to the skin.)
- Seal it in by gently spreading a thin layer of your occlusive (like petroleum jelly) over the entire face or only on dry areas.
A pea‑sized amount is usually enough — Slugging doesn’t require thick blobs.
Because it locks in what’s underneath, many experts recommend avoiding strong active ingredients like retinoids, alpha‑ or beta‑hydroxy acids (AHAs/BHAs) directly before slugging. Trapping those under an occlusive layer can increase irritation.
⚠️ Potential Downsides to Know
- Not ideal for oily/acne‑prone skin: Some people experience breakouts or clogged pores from too much occlusion.
- Fabric concerns: Thick ointments can stain pillowcases, so using a towel to protect bedding is a common tip.
- Not a cure‑all: While slugging boosts hydration, it doesn’t replace good daily skincare habits or target specific concerns like wrinkles or pigmentation on its own.
🛏️ Final Takeaway
Slugging is an easy, highly moisturizing step that seals in hydration by creating a barrier on the skin. For people battling dryness or weakened skin barriers — especially in harsh climates or winter months — it can be a helpful addition to nighttime skincare. But because it’s heavy and quite occlusive, it’s not for every skin type, and moderation is key.
